Iran’s underground missile bunkers to be targeted in 2nd phase of war, sources tell Reuters

The joint Israeli-American war in Iran is entering a second phase that will see the targeting of ballistic missile sites buried deep underground, two sources familiar with Israel’s military campaign tell Reuters.

The joint air assault with the US in Iran is nearing the end of its first week after opening salvos killed the country’s leaders and set off a regional war with Iranian attacks in Israel, the Gulf, and Iraq, and Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel’s military says it has hit hundreds of Iranian missile launchers above ground that could target Israeli cities.

The second phase will include bunkers storing ballistic missiles and equipment, say the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

Many such strikes would likely be carried out by the US with its heavy bombers capable of carrying bunker-busting bombs that can penetrate Iran’s heavily fortified underground ballistic missile sites.

One source says Israel aims to neutralize Iran’s ability to launch aerial attacks at Israel by the end of the war, which is also focused on taking out the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

A spokesperson for the military does not immediately respond to a request for comment on its attack plans.

Yesterday, The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli military was planning for at least one or two more weeks of operations against Iran, during which it aims to hit thousands of targets, with the goal of systematic degradation of the Iranian regime and its military capabilities.

Earlier today, the IDF said that in an overnight strike, the Air Force struck “an underground infrastructure site used by the Iranian regime to store ballistic missiles and storage sites for missiles intended for use against aircraft.” The military had not previously announced attacks on underground missile facilities.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.